MIAMI BEACH MAKES HISTORY: Tax Equity Policy Unanimously Approved!

Miami Beach Makes History

I have just left the Miami Beach Commission where moments ago Mayor Bower and the commissioners unanimously approved a new Tax Equity Policy for city employees. The new policy is the strongest and most comprehensive of its kind in the U.S., and it ensures that city employees with domestic partners will no longer pay thousands more in taxes for their partner's health insurance than married employees pay.*

Florida is leading the nation on Tax Equity policies and has passed six of these policies already this year - more than have ever been passed in the rest of the country combined.

Equality Florida has been working closely with Miami Beach for more than a year on this landmark policy, which we believe will become a model for the nation. EQFL staff assisted the Miami Beach LGBT Business Enhancement Committee in bringing the issue forward in the spring of 2012. We have provided ongoing technical support, background research, and economic studies to city staff drafting the policy. And we have participated in every public hearing and workshop on the policy.

A huge thank you to Commissioner Gongora for sponsoring the ordinance and to the Mayor and all of the commissioners for their passionate and unanimous support. Thank you also to city staff who put in long hours in the months leading up to today’s vote to ensure the policy was as strong as it possibly could be.

And finally, thank you to our partners on the Miami Beach LGBT Business Enhancement Committee, the Miami Beach Human Rights Committee, the Williams Institute, HRC, SAVE Dade, the Miami Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and the Miami Beach LGBT Visitors Center who all contributed to this victory.